Chapter 61
Maple
@BrookebabeNYC, TikTok
Anyone else feeling a bit shitty about this Ella Hart thing now? I’ve always loved that family, so Christ knows why those teenagers made me look at things differently. It’s so obvious they’re just trying to build their profiles. Urgh
It’s crazy. Life has been so shit lately, but hearing Dylan remind me that we’re in this together made me feel good for a second.
Like all the bad stuff is worth it because it’s made us tighter.
I love Dylan being my friend, and maybe I’d like it to be more than that.
One day. Maybe. But maybe not, I mean, who really knows these things?
I wish I could talk to someone about this. Discuss, dissect, whatever.
I open Snapchat and notice a new symbol next to Coco’s name. A red one hundred, signifying a one-hundred-day snap streak. Of course I can talk to Coco.
‘Oh, babe, I’m so happy you called,’ she says, sounding relieved as she accepts my video call. ‘How are you doing?’
‘I’m good, thanks.’
‘You are?’ She looks confused. ‘I thought that post from Selena Hart might have sent you spiraling. Not that it should,’ she adds quickly. ‘But she’s such a manipulative bitch.’
‘Yeah, well, it did throw me a bit when I first saw it,’ I admit. ‘But Dylan made me see things differently.’
‘Oh?’
‘He reminded me that the alternative was letting pedos get away with their gross behavior.’
‘Well, he’s a smart guy.’ She tips her head. ‘You like him, don’t you?’
I shrug, look away. But the smile creeps back. ‘Maybe. I mean, he’s cool, isn’t he? And gorgeous. And a genuinely good person. But the really crazy thing is that he seems to like me too.’
‘Sounds like someone’s got a crush.’
I risk looking at the screen and see that Coco’s eyes are shining with a mix of humor and pride. ‘Do you think I’ve got a chance?’ I ask in a whisper.
‘A chance?’ She shakes her head. ‘Damn, you’re so pookie. The dude would be lucky to have you.’ Then her expression softens. ‘I’m really happy for you, babe. I think you’d make a great couple.’
I curl my fingers into a heart in gratitude. ‘Not that anything’s going to happen anytime soon, with Dylan in St George and me in Provo. But we’re finding Ella together, and that’s making us closer. Especially now Selena Hart’s trying to invent a whole new truth.’
At that, Coco’s expression changes. She suddenly looks sad. ‘What did I say?’ I ask.
She sighs. ‘Listen, Maple, there’s something I need to tell you.’
‘Oh?’
‘After our call the other day,’ Coco goes on, her voice more muffled, like her hand is covering her mouth now.
‘You know, when we found Ella’s pictures.
Well, I guess I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
About how AI means that just being known on social media puts you at risk of gross stuff happening to you. ’
‘Why are we talking about this?’ My heart is booming, but my voice is tiny.
‘Because I went on the dark web this morning.’
‘But your parents …’
‘This is more important.’ Coco exhales and it judders out. ‘Looking out for my friend.’
‘Ella’s not your friend,’ I whisper.
‘I found your image on some of those sites, Maple. Your face anyway. On naked bodies. I’m so sorry.’
I feel a strange sensation, something vile and disgusting, like a million eyes stripping away my clothes. I drop my face into my knees, pull myself into the smallest ball, feel hot tears against bare skin. I can hear Coco saying my name, asking if I’m okay, apologizing, over and over.
I should say something. But I can’t speak.
I rip out my AirPods, feel them slip through my fingers, then listen to them skitter along the sidewalk below me.